Every day is unprecedented, again. Analysts announce, with grave conviction, that this year is the worst — or the best — depending on lunch. Markets “look strange today,” just as they did yesterday and will tomorrow. Signals are spotted, patterns declared, and predictions made with the confidence of weather forecasts in a hurricane. Beneath the […]
The Oracle of Market Uncertainty Read More »
Success has long been framed through the lens of optimisation. We are expected to improve how we perform — to become more efficient, more productive, more effective in how we use our time, energy, and attention. Multitasking, agility, collaboration, work-life balance — all of it sits within the same logic: perform better within the system.
A Map of Modern Success — And Why It’s Often Not Yours Read More »
Experts in hindsight, allergic to responsibility. Every organisation has them — the prophets of what should have been. They know every failed project, every flawed strategy, every misstep of management, and narrate them all with retrospective genius. Their vision stops exactly where action begins. In meetings they nod wisely in silence; outside, they rewrite history
The Know-Better Department Read More »
Structure is oppression; calendars are optional. They arrive late, lose files, and forget what was said — and somehow, they thrive. In a world obsessed with order, they’ve turned disorganisation into charisma. Their inbox is a modern art installation; their desk a topographical mystery. Yet executives adore them for being “visionary” — proof that if
The Free Spirits of Corporate Chaos Read More »
How to prove you’re in charge by ensuring no one else can be. The modern manager no longer leads — they hover. Every email, draft, and spreadsheet must bear their sacred touch, for chaos might ensue if employees finish tasks without supervision. Revisions are mandatory, not for improvement but for ceremony. Control, after all, is
The Micromanagement Manifesto Read More »
“We should catch up soon,” said for the 73rd time. They message you once a quarter to lament your mutual absence, usually while ignoring your last unanswered text. When meetings happen, they’re late — not fashionably, but existentially. Time bends around them until somehow you’re apologising for their delay. Their friendship thrives on inertia, powered
The Perfunctory Friend Read More »
Speak first, think never — your wisdom is trending. Having opinions is out; distributing them is in. The new social hierarchy rewards those who interrupt your peace to offer direction you didn’t request and can’t use. Advice-giving has become performance art: a declaration of existence through verbal interference. In a world where silence is free,
The Era of Unsolicited Advice Read More »
Because nothing says cultural exchange like linguistic policing. In a world where people speak three languages before breakfast, a few still guard the gates of pronunciation with missionary zeal. They correct others mid-sentence, mistaking accent for error and curiosity for incompetence. Somewhere between colonial nostalgia and grammar anxiety, they find purpose — saving vowels, one
Accent Management for the Global Soul Read More »
What few questions taught me about connection, commitment, and the quiet economics of giving. It started as a playful social experiment — a handful of questions sent to friends, inviting them to reflect on how they see me. The answers — and non-answers — revealed far more than I expected. People recognise my strength, presence,
The experiment of connection Read More »
Some time ago, in a cross-functional project setting, I found myself working closely with someone whose values, pace and approach differed radically from mine. At first, it seemed like a promising opportunity for complementary collaboration. But over time, subtle cues and feedback began to accumulate, signalling quietly: You need to adjust who you are to
Respect does not mean resemblance: an inclusive approach Read More »
There is a moment in every career that feels like heartbreak. It sneaks up on the loyal ones, the hard workers, and the high performers. It often sounds like “It’s not about you.” Except it very much feels about you. Didn’t you give it everything? Didn’t you care? Weren’t you recognised for going the extra
The freedom of being a headcount Read More »
The holiday season wraps around us, and I feel it’s the perfect time to reflect on one main takeaway from the closing year. For me, this year’s sentiment is best captured by an amazing artist: …and that’s what they don’t see, mm-mm That’s what they don’t see, mm-mm.. 2024 has been a mosaic of highs
Year-end reflections Read More »
In this episode of the series on the key elements of personal responsibility, I want to look into my absolute favourite: integrity. Why is it my favourite? While we often think of integrity simply as honesty, I’ve come to realise that integrity has deeper, more far-reaching implications that might surprise you. What is integrity? At
The multiverse of integrity Read More »
Building on the introduction of personal responsibility as a core principle of effective leadership, I will explore some of the key elements of leadership in the following newsletters: self-awareness, integrity, accountability, authenticity, and taking ownership. Self-awareness is a fundamental attribute of effective leadership and a powerful tool for introspection, emotional intelligence, authenticity, and a commitment
Setting the stage: The pivotal role of personal responsibility In the ever-evolving leadership landscape, one principle remains constant: personal responsibility. At the heart of effective leadership lies the recognition that our actions, decisions, and behaviours shape our paths and those of the teams and organisations we lead. Personal responsibility in leadership is more than just
Leading from within: embracing personal responsibility Read More »
Where focus goes, energy flows. Tony Robbins In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the myriad of tasks, responsibilities, and distractions that demand our attention. However, amidst the chaos, there lies a powerful tool that has the potential to reshape our lives — focus. The ability to consciously decide what to focus
The Transformative Power of Focus: Taking Control of Your Life Read More »
Embark on a transformative journey with this groundbreaking online course, \”Holistic Life Blueprint: Crafting a Purposeful and Fulfilling Life\”, designed for professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone seeking true balance and fulfilment.
Holistic Life Blueprint: Crafting a Purposeful and Fulfilling Life Read More »
I am currently on sabbatical exploring and gathering inspiration for a new blogging and coaching chapter. Use the contact form if you want to reach out to me directly, otherwise – read me in January 🙂 !
The primary cognitive reason for taking notes is managing information – processing it, saving for future reference, sharing and transforming it. With a few well-planned steps, it is possible to turn note-taking into a life framework and harness its benefits in an empowering way.
Ode to note-taking Read More »
Reviewing your goals and reflecting on your behaviours helps you see whether you are using your agency – the ability to act to produce the desired outcome. Through practising our agency, we become the actual designers of our lives.
The connection between agency and goal revisions Read More »
How does knowing your strengths boost your confidence?
The benefits of knowing your strengths Read More »
Our beliefs shape our reality – our decisions, actions and even thoughts about the world around us are based on how we expect the world around us to play out.
By believing something is true, we are creating it, bringing it into existence. However, the power of beliefs can have a flipside – what we believe to be true can be limiting us. Is your belief system out of date?
Pivot point: beliefs Read More »
Fear is a natural emotion that is triggered when we sense danger. You can choose to befriend it – use it to your own advantage.
Befriending your fear Read More »
Look at the world with curiosity and open-mindedness and ground yourself in the certainty of being able to deal with every situation. Being resourceful is not about knowing what to do in specific cases; it is about knowing that you will be able to find a solution once the need arises.
Why resourcefulness is your new superpower Read More »
Your vision is your dream, written in an ambitious, compelling and authentic way. When you read it, you can visualise it, feel it, long for it.
What is it that you want?! or how to figure out your vision Read More »
I believe responsible leadership is the key to more human-centric professional environments. And the most exciting part is that we can choose being responsible leaders freely.
Choosing to be responsible leaders Read More »
Choosing to be actively in charge of life instead of letting life happen is the best stress management tool you need.
The only stress management tool you need Read More »
Having a goal and setting out the steps to reach it is empowering. A sustainable and holistic approach to goal setting will put you in the driver\’s seat of your life – the only seat worth taking!
Goal setting: holistic and sustainable Read More »
There is something empowering about ticking off few tasks before my Executive has arrived in the office. Additionally, there is this magic of habitual activities that turn my mind into professional flow mode.
Bulletproof your way Read More »
I prefer seeing fear as a choice. You cannot influence life to ensure you are never exposed to a situation that scares you. However, you are always in charge of the response you decide to showcase. Instead of submitting and giving up power, you can choose to empower yourself.
10 essential Excel skills at the core of a successful and efficient EA working routine
The art of a perfectly formatted document, part II – spreadsheets Read More »
What happens if the new hire has utterly different quality standards than those the team habitually provides? Or worse – what happens to the synergies within the group when members realise the new person does not meet their basic professional expectations but are stuck with the person anyway?
Unexpected expectations Read More »
13 essential skills for working with documents every EA should master fluently
The art of a perfectly formatted document, part I – text editing Read More »
What would be the answer if instead of asking whether the candidate in front of you is a team player, you would ask whether the person prefers to collaborate or to cooperate?
Teamwork – what\’s in a name? Read More »
Imagine a box. A container rather. It stands in the middle of your office. Whenever someone on your team finishes some task, she throws the notes and related information into this container. Everyone does it. Whenever the box is about to overflow, someone comes and builds up its sides. Hence, files and information do no
Content management à la office Read More »
Some of us live believing they are unable to learn a foreign language, or draw, or dance. These beliefs form our behaviours and shape our lives. They influence our personal and professional choices.
Anything you believe in Read More »
My interview for a magazine Administrative Assistant, featuring Assistants around the world
Sharing is caring or EA in the spotlight Read More »
It is not about being right or proving someone wrong. It is about being open minded or not. In my reality, every ending is a beginning.
Endings and beginnings Read More »
It is 7 30 a.m., and I am reading through my emails and news feed while at breakfast. I find this morning routine highly efficient. I quickly skim through everything, remove the least relevant information and random spam and set aside time during the week to read the longer pieces. If you, like me, read
Things I hate about marketing emails Read More »
Is there anyone around here who has not heard of Pareto principle (aka 20/80 rule)? I guess, not many. I think this is one of the most popular productivity tools out there. Rare time management or quality management book do not cover the rule of 20/80. Even more so, I admit that I have a
Can you actually achieve more by doing less? Read More »
I’ve mentioned in one of my recent posts that I’ve recently spent two months in Germany, avoiding travelling during the high of the COVID-19 outbreak. Germany has always been a land of milk and honey for me – ever since secondary school was I dreaming about going there, and maybe even living there. My life
Fancy living in a littered world? Read More »
My somewhat reflexive perspective of two months in corona lockdown
Things I missed the most – or being away from home for two months Read More »
I decided to share few things that I have learned the hard way – and that could have been less painful or confusing to me if I would know about them in advance.
7 things I wish I knew when I first started as an Executive Assistant Read More »
I was on the lookout for a template for editorial and content calendar on the Internet. As you can imagine, there are tons of various models available. Some are more complicated, some – less. Some are available free of charge, and some are not. Few are nice looking and again few others – quite ugly.
The art of small steps Read More »
Once or twice a month I deliberately slow down and reject any of the activities I enjoy. Unplugging and doing nothing of importance is very important.
Boring myself on purpose Read More »
I have learned that we use egoism and selfishness as synonyms. We often refer to a person as selfish or egoistic when this person does not want to share something with us – be it information, tools, food, money or love. People would often suggest to an egoist to re-think his values, learn to be more humble, accept that giving is preferential to taking.
Being a false egoist Read More »
Introducing the Executive Assistant
Who the heck is Executive Assistant? Read More »
There are several ways how human beings perceive the information . Will I always stay an old-school bookworm?
There are only 24 hours in a day you’d have to think carefully about how much time you might want to spend on different activities. And if it doesn’t fit in – you better not do it.
Budget your … time? Read More »
I think it’s vital to recognize timely that what you do for a living is called that way because it is just an income stream. This income stream does not define who you are. You are not your job. Your job is just something you do before you have chosen to do something else.
You are not your work Read More »
Why do we stare and how is staring handled in different cultures?
Humans are genetically predisposed to be attracted to symmetrical faces to ensure long-term survival. We unconsciously see symmetry as a marker of genetic quality.
To stare or not to stare.. Read More »
Are you ever feeling overwhelmed with the amount of thought running through your head? Do you ever find yourself being blocked from actually completing a task or a project just because your mind is currently using all your energy creating ideas and solutions and you have nothing left to actually start doing? I find myself
What happens when group’s morality unexpectedly contradicts personal morality? Where do you find courage to stand your ground, even if you might end up being fired or being labelled as an outsider?
Would you stand your ground? Read More »
Hi and welcome! I have learned to be great at getting things done and I have learned a lot in the process. This is what I mostly will be blogging about – I hope you will enjoy 🙂